Edinburgh is set to become the first city in the UK to introduce a new tourist tax for visitors staying in the capital.
The City of Edinburgh Council have approved the plans this week, that will see each person taxed £2 for every night they are staying in the capital, capped at seven nights. This will include everyone staying at paid accommodation in the city, but will exclude campsites.
Official legislation is still to be approved at the Scottish Parliament, however once given the green light, the scheme is set to allow for an improvement in public areas and green spaces.
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Meeting on Tuesday, November 1, a report made for the council's policy and sustainability committee has stated the measure could allow for an additional income of £5 million to £35 million each year.
It added: "This list would be used as the basis for further internal and external engagement with stakeholders and members." The priorities are waste, cleansing, and greenspace, addressing congestion, investing in public routes and travel system and services.
Also on the agenda is investment in the city's infrastructure, as well as investing in focussed promotion of Edinburgh including encouraging visitor dispersal out of the city centre.
Investment in the processing and monitoring of Edinburgh visitor data, improving accesibility and distribution are also possibilities. In addition, investing in supporting and increasing Edinburgh's cultural or event capacity, activity and infrastructure may be likely.
Officials say they will now develop the options, take forward engagement and review data in the wake of Covid and new investment in hotels and other accommodation in order to support a "refreshed robust business case". A consultation held in 2018 saw 90 per cent of city residents who responded in favour of the scheme, along with a large number of accommodation providers and businesses, although others in the sector remain hostile.
The legislation allowing local authorities to introduce a tourist tax - delayed because of the pandemic - is expected to be presented before the Scottish Parliament in early 2023. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon promised the Local Visitor Levy Bill when she announced her programme for government in September.
Council leader Cammy Day previously wrote: "Our economic strength has brought us a great deal of success but, without an additional income stream, we will struggle to manage and support this success in the future.
"That's precisely why we've worked so hard to convince the Scottish Government to give us the necessary powers to introduce a visitor levy, or 'tourist tax'. We've led the way in Scotland - and the UK - and I'm pleased, at long last, that the city's hard work has finally paid off."
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